Reykjavik Sightseeing and Blue Lagoon Trip

Immerse yourself in the cityscapes of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, before visiting the incredible spa known as the Blue Lagoon. This tour is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the town and Iceland in general.

The tour begins when you are picked up in Reykjavík for the sightseeing component of your trip. There are many incredible locations in the capital city to get to today, that your experienced guide will tell you about in detail.

You will, for example, get to visit the viewing points atop Perlan, a hilltop restaurant surrounded by a forest in the city itself, and Hallgrímskirkja, the church that dominates the skyline.

You’ll see the Sun Voyager artwork and feel the spirit of adventure that was sculpted into it, and the historic Höfði House, where the seeds to end the Cold War were first planted. Of course, the modern concert hall Harpa is also on your agenda.

While these are the most known sites in Reykjavík, you will also visit lesser-known places, such as Tjörnin Pond, the Presidential Residence, and the harbours of both Reykjavík and the adjacent town of Hafnafjörður.

Once you have thoroughly explored this marvellous, cultural capital, you will board the second bus, and be whisked across the Reykjanes Peninsula to the Blue Lagoon. This route, which you may have admired on your drive from the airport, is renowned for its dramatic lava landscapes and many cone-shaped volcanoes.

The Blue Lagoon is a top tourist destination in Iceland for very good reasons. It’s azure, warm waters are unlike any other in the world, filled with unique algae and minerals, and are said to have healing properties. This claim is also made of the silica masks you can apply on site for free, and the many other treatments you can purchase here.

Please note that the price of this tour only covers the transfer costs of getting you to the lagoon; you will have to buy your ticket separately. It is heavily recommended to do this weeks in advance, as available spaces tend to fill up very quickly.

Once you have thoroughly enjoyed the lagoon, you can take a bus back to the capital. These buses run every hour, so feel free to truly relax and enjoy your time.

Don’t miss this excellent introduction to Iceland. Check availability by choosing a date.

Quick facts

Tour information:

Available: Feb. - .

Duration:
7 hours

Activities:
Sightseeing, Hot Spring Bathing

Difficulty:
Easy

Languages:
English

Highlights:

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa and is the single most popular attraction in Iceland.

The water is rich in silica and sulphur that helps make your skin shine like a baby. The Blue Lagoon also operates a Research and Development facility that helps find cures for skin ailments using the mineral-rich water.

The temperature in the bathing and swimming area is very comfortable, and averages 37–39 °C (98–102 °F). There´s a restaurant there and it´s a truly romantic and beautiful place one should not miss while in Iceland.

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of a sovereign state in the world.

Despite a small population (120.000 and more than 200.000 in the Greater Reykjavik area), it is a vibrant city that draws an ever increasing number of visitors. It is the financial, cultural and governmental centre of Iceland. It also has a reputation of being one of the cleanest and safest cities in the world.

Geography

The city of Reykjavik is located in southwest Iceland by the creek of the same name. Throughout the ages, the landscape has been shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and the area is geothermal. Much of the current city area area was subglacial during the Ice Age, with the glacier reaching as far as the Álftanes peninsula, while other areas lay under the sea. After the end of the ice age the land rose as the glaciers drifted away, and it began to take on its present form.

The coastline of Reykjavik is set with peninsulas, coves, straights and islands, most notably the island of Videy, and seabirds and whales frequent the shores. The mountain ring as seen from the shore is particularly beautiful. Mount Esja is the highest mountain in the vicinity of Reykjavik and lends its distinct feature to the whole area. This majestic mountain is also highly popular for climbing. Other notable mountains that can be seen from the seaside are Akrafjall and Skardsheidi and on clear days one may even see as far to the legendary Snaefellsjokull glacier, at the end of the Snafellsnes peninsula.

The largest river to run through the city is Ellidaa in Ellidaardalur valley, which is also one of Iceland‘s best rivers for salmon fishing.

Transportation

There are no trains or trams in Iceland, but most people travel by car. The city also operates a bus system. There are two major harbours in town, the old harbour in the centre and Sundahofn in the east. The domestic Reykjavik Airport is located at Vatnsmyrin, not far from the city centre and close to Oskjuhlid and Perlan. The international Keflavik Airport at Midnesheidi heath then lies around 50 km from the city. Cars, jeeps and bicycles can be readily rented in the city and many organized tours are also being offered.

What to See & Do in Reykjavik

The local arts scene is strong in Iceland, with both annual events and single ones, many of whom have hit the international stage. For the annual ones please check our articles Best Annual Events in Iceland and the Top Ten Festivals in Iceland. Major events taking place in Reykjavik include the Iceland Airwaves, Gay Pride, RIFF (The Reykjavik International Film Festival), The Reykjavik Literature Festival, Cultural Night, the Reykjavik Arts Festival, Food & Fun, the Reykjavik Fashion Festival and the Sónar music festival.

Among famous people from Reykjavik are artists Bjork Gudmundsdottir, Sigur Ros, writers Halldor Laxness (born in Laugavegur) and Arnaldur Indridason and mayor Jon Gnarr. For more well-known and fairly-well known Icelanders, check our article on the subject.

You might also want to check our article on some of the many things to see and do in Reykjavik, such as visiting the city‘s many museums, exhibitions and galleries, checking out live music, visiting the Harpa music hall or the theatres, visiting the lighthouse at Grotta, the main shopping street of Laugavegur, visiting the old harbour and the flea market, going on a bird- and whale watching tour or visiting Videy island. We also have a top ten list of things to do.

Make sure to visit the public square of Austurvollur, one of the city‘s most popular gathering places, where you‘ll also find the national parliament, Althingi, the state church a statue of independence hero Jon Sigurdson, as well as cafés, bars and restaurants. Austurvollur was central in the 2008 protests, along with Laekjargata, home to the House of Government. You are also not likely to miss the great church of Hallgrimskirkja that towers over the city from the hill of Skolavorduholt, wherefrom you‘ll get a great view of the city.

Try a walk by the city pond, greet the many birds that frequent the area and visit the city hall, stationed by its banks. The Hljomaskalagardur is a beautiful park that lies by the pond, it ideal for a nice walk and sometimes concerts get held there. Further off is the campus of the university of Iceland, the Nordic house and the Vatnsmyri wetland, a particularly pleasant place, but be mindful of not disturbing the wildlife there and keep to the pathways.

For a nice swim on a warm day, we particularly recommend Nautholsvik beach.

Visit the Laugardalur valley, home to one of the city‘s best swimming pools, as well as the Asmundarsafn gallery, a beautiful botanical garden and a domestic zoo. A walk by the Aegissida beach, with it‘s old fishing sheds, in the west part of Reykjavik also holds a particular charm. The aforementioned Elllidaardalur valley is also a popular resort.

Another place that offers one of the city‘s best (and free) views is Perlan, up in Oskjuhlid hill. The hill itself is a popular resort, with over 176.000 trees and great opportunities for walking and cycling.

Travel to Alftanes to see the president‘s house at Bessastadir, which is also a historical site in it‘s own right, having been the educational centre of Iceland for centuries. Nearby is a beautiful lava field, Galgahraun, well worth a visit, though there is currently an environmental struggle going on as to it‘s future state.

The city is furthermore a short drive from many of Iceland‘s major attractions, most famously the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon. In close vicinity you‘ll also find the Heidmork preservation area, a favourite pastime resort of the people of Reykjavik, as well as the Blue Mountains, one of Iceland‘s most beloved skiing venues.

Finally, we‘d like to stress that these are only some suggestions of the many things you might check out in Reykjavik. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you‘ll be able to make the most of your visit and we wish you a pleasant stay in our capital.

Volcanic & Geothermal Activity

The peninsula runs along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates are drifting apart. Because of this geological setting, the whole peninsula is extremely volcanically active, covered with lava fields and volcanoes and small earthquakes are very common there.

During the middle ages, many eruptions occurred in Reykjanes, but no eruptions have been recorded there for the last 500 years.

The main geothermal areas of Reykjanes are Gunnuhver, Krýsuvik and Svartsengi. Various mud pools and fumaroles can be seen at Gunnuhver while Krýsuvik is characterised by hot springs and mud pots that bestow multicoloured hues upon the soil. The green crater lake Grænavatn is also an impressive sight.

Svartsengi is home to a geothermal power station that produces 76.5 MW of electricity from the 475 litres of 90° C warm water that gush from the earth per second. The mineral-rich surplus water fills up the Blue Lagoon spa.

Nature & Wildlife

Reykjanes' cliffs are teeming with birdlife. Its best-known bird colony resides in Krýsuvikurbjarg which is the nesting place of approximately 80 thousand seabirds. North of Krýsuvíkurbjarg is Kleifarvatn, the largest lake on the peninsula and one of the deepest in Iceland and on the centre of the peninsula is lake Djúpavatn, a popular fishing destination.

Reykjanes is hammered by some of the most breathtaking breaker waves in the world. A short drive from Krýsuvík is Selvogur where one is able to witness some of the country's greatest waves. On Reykjanestá, the southwest tip of the peninsula, the waves are known to reach heights of 20-30 meters.

The peninsula's north side is dotted with fishing villages and towns, most notably Keflavík, Sandgerði, Garður and Vogar. Grindavík town is located on the south shore of the peninsula. Together, the towns and towns Keflavík, Njarðvík, Hafnir and Ásbrú make up the municipality Reykjanesbær which consists of just under 16,000 residents, making it the fifth largest municipality in Iceland.

Miðnesheiði

Near Keflavík is the Miðnesheiði heath, where the international airport, Leifsstöð (also known as Keflavíkurflugvöllur or ‘Keflavík Airport’) is located.

The World-Famous Spa

On the southern tip of the peninsula is the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, an ideal place for relaxing and bathing.

Hafnarfjordur is a port town of around 26.100 people around 10 km from Reykjavik, and is Iceland's third largest town.

Nature & Lore

Hafnarfjordur is close to many of Iceland's best natural attractions, was built on lava, and also surrounded by beautiful lava fields. As a whole the nature of the area is very beautiful and varied, with many outdoor areas and spectacular natural formations. The town is also connected with folklore, as it is said to be one of the major location for elves.

Industry, History, Culture and activities

Hafnarfjordur has established local industry and a strong harbour. It also has and a vibrant culture and history. Many interesting museums are to be found there, and are well worth a visit.

Hafnarfjordur has various urban activities and annual events. The most well known of these are the Bright Days art and culture festival and the Viking Festival. Hafnarfjordur is often seen as a rock 'n' roll capital of Iceland, as popular bands such as HAM, Botnledja, Jet Black Joe, Sign, Jakobinarina and Ulpa all trace their roots to the town.

People from Hafnarfjordur are also sometimes unfairly used for laughs in jokes about stupidity. But mostly by Icelanders who don´t live in Hafnarfjordur.

Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church, located on top of hill Skólavörðuhæð in the centre of Reykjavík. At 74,5 metres tall, it is the largest church in Iceland, and its tower offers a spectacular panoramic view over the city.

History and design

The church was designed by one of Iceland’s most renowned architects, Guðjón Samúelsson, who is said to have sought inspiration for his expressionistic design from elements of the Icelandic nature. These include glaciers, mountains and trap rocks, such as the hexagonal basalt columns that surround the waterfall Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park.

The church took 41 years to build, with construction starting in 1945 and finishing in 1986. The leaders of the Church of Iceland wanted a building that would tower over the Catholic church of Landakotskirkja, also designed by Samúelsson. The large pipe organ inside Hallgrímskirkja, consisting of over 5000 pipes, was built by German Johannes Klais of Bonn and its construction was completed in December 1992.

Outside the church stands its predecessor; a statue of Leifur Eiríksson by American sculptor Alexander Stirling Calder. The statue was a gift from the United States in 1930, on the millennial anniversary of Iceland’s first legislative body Alþingi, founded in Þingvellir in 930 AD. Leifur Eiríksson was a Norse explorer from Iceland who discovered the continent of North America in the year 1000, more than half a century before Christopher Columbus.

Culture

The church’s namesake is Icelandic priest Hallgrímur Pétursson, a 17th-century poet and author of The Passion Hymns (Passíusálmar). The hymns are a vital part of Icelandic religious tradition and a stable of local literature, having been reprinted over 75 times since their original publishing in 1666.

The tower of the church is each day visited by hundreds of spectators who seek to enjoy its sweeping view of the capital. The observation tower can be accessed via a lift. Hallgrímskirkja counts as the most iconic landmark of the city of Reykjavík and is visible throughout most of the capital. It serves as a focal meeting point for several cultural events, for example, an annual gathering for watching the fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Perlan ('The Pearl') is a museum and rotating glass dome built on top of six water tanks that together store 24 million litres of Reykjavík's hot water. Surrounded by trees, Perlan stands on top of Öskjuhlíð Hill and is one of the capital's most distinctive landmarks.

History & Construction

The building was originally designed by architect Ingimundur Sveinsson and in 1991, the hot water storage tanks that had stood on top of Öskjuhlíð since the mid-20th-century were updated when the hemispherical glass dome structure was added on top. The project was largely curated by politician Davíð Oddsson, during his term as mayor of Reykjavík.

One of the six water tanks does not store any water. From 2002-2014 it housed a Viking-history museum, but currently, the tank envelopes an exhibition called 'Jöklar og Íshellar' ('The Glacier Exhibition of Iceland') which showcases Iceland's glaciers and ice caves. An adult ticket to the exhibition costs 2,900 ISK and includes complimentary entrance to the viewing platform.

At night, the water tanks are lit up by floodlights that illuminate the construction for all of the city to see. On top of the dome is a rotating light which serves to signal the aeroplanes that fly to and from the nearby Reykjavík Domestic Airport.

Museum & Sightseeing

The very first Glacier Exhibition of Iceland opened in Perlan in July 2017. The project features a replica of an ice tunnel, where visitors are offered a glance into the past, present and future of the Icelandic glaciers.

Further plans for the site are to create a grand-scale museum of natural wonders, with several ambitious nature exhibitions expected to open in the coming year. These include Iceland’s first planetarium, which will make use of the 360° dome to offer an immersive experience of the stars of the night sky. Additionally, exhibitions called 'Land, Coast, Ocean' and 'Northern Lights' are set to open in 2018.

Currently, the observation deck on top of Perlan offers an impressive and panoramic view of the city and its surroundings, with Adult tickets available for 490 ISK. The venue is one of the best spots to see the city, but it is quite difficult to reach from central Reykjavík without a car. Another option is the hop-on City Sightseeing bus that goes between all the major sights of Reykjavík.

On the fourth and fifth floors of the building, the dome itself hosts the restaurant Út í bláinn, the café Kaffitár and the gift shop Rammagerðin. Outside the entrance, there is a man-made geyser, Strokkur, named after its real-life counterpart in the geothermal valley of Haukadalur.

The surrounding woodland of Öskjuhlíð boasts of several scenic hiking trails and cycling routes, along with the remains of multiple military bunkers that were built by the US army during its WWII occupation in Iceland.

Hofdi is a building in north Reykjavik, most famous for being the meeting point of then-presidents Ronald Reagan of the United States and Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union in 1986.

Hofdi is also notable as the former residence of Icelandic poet and entrepreneur Einar Benediktsson. Since 1958 it has been used for formal receptions and festive occasions. The house is rumoured to be haunted.

A Hollywood film is now being made about the meeting of the Soviet and US leaders, starring Michael Douglas and called Reykjavik.

Reykjavík Harbour is located close to the centre of the city and is the main port of departure for whale and puffin watching tours, as well as Northern Lights cruises.

Usually referred to as ‘the Old Harbour’, the original purpose of the area, for fisheries and trade, has given way to tourism in recent years. Not only do many tours leave from here, but it is close to museums such as the Viking Maritime Museum and the Whales of Iceland exhibition. You can also go fishing recreationally from the pier.

The Alþingi is Iceland’s longest running and highest institution of government, having been formed amidst the stunning beauty of Þingvellir (“Parliamentary Fields”) in the year 930AD. The formation of the Alþingi was the country’s first step to solidifying a national identity, creating not only the Icelandic Commonwealth (until its end in 1262), but also, what was arguably the longest running parliament in history.

History

Upon the Alþingi’s formation, Viking chieftain and their tribes met for two-week sessions at the Lögberg, or ‘Law Rock’, at the base of what is known today as the North American tectonic plate, to discuss matters of politics in a free and open discussion. At the centre of these proceedings was the Lögrétta, or Law Council. Any law abiding citizen of the land was free to attend and encouraged to do so, as the open air assembly ensured a level of transparency to the meetings. These sessions quickly became the main event of the year’s social calendar, with farmers, merchants, travellers, craftsmen and warriors all in attendance, staying in temporary camps called 'búðir' with their families.

For two weeks, unifying laws and customs were read aloud by the Lawspeaker to these assemblies, largely by employing the North American tectonic plate as a literal sounding board. Using this method, the Lawspeaker's’ voice could reach all those in attendance. From this position, new legislation was pronounced, political disputes were resolved and justice was implemented.

In 1262, after nearly two decades of civil war, Icelandic Chieftains finally succumbed to the King of Norway, pledging their allegiance to him. This newly imposed crown rule had a number of consequences, one of which was the changing structure of the Alþingi. Though it still convened at Þingvellir, the lawspeaker could now only pass laws signed off by the Norwegian crown. The Lögrétta was reassigned as an acting court for the region and was held as accountable to the King for any violations to Norway’s rule. Sessions at the Alþingi transformed from the enacting and pronouncements of new law to primarily, the resolution of legal disputes.

Alþingi Today

This continued upon the formation of the Kalmar Union (Denmark, Norway and Sweden) at the end of the 14th Century, when the rule of Iceland transferred across to the Danes. Denmark was an absolute monarchy and was quick to strip Icelanders of certain ancient rights they had always held close. One of these was the right to assembly, to which the King was highly suspicious. The Alþingi came to an end at Thingvellir in 1798 and was abolished entirely in 1800. The Lögrétta still convened throughout this period at Hólavellir. However, due to an increase in national sentiment throughout the 19th Century, the Danish crown was forced to secede their control and allowed Iceland to re-establish the Alþingi in 1843, in the country’s capital, Reykjavik.

There were a number of changes to the structure and purpose of the Alþingi throughout the early 1900s. However, on the 9th April 1940, Iceland severed its ties with its former colonial master, the then Nazi-occupied Denmark, gaining national independence. In 1944, the Republic of Iceland was officially established. Today, the Alþingi resides at Parliament House, in downtown Reykjavik. It is situated by Austurvöllur field and there is a beautiful public garden behind it which guests are free to visit.

Tjörnin is the historic, picturesque pond that can be found in downtown Reykjavík.

This popular spot in the capital city is bordered by cultural sites such as the National Gallery of Iceland, the theatre Tjarnabío, and Reykjavík City Hall, where the Guide to Iceland visitor centre is located.

Tjörnin has a year-round duck population, due to the fact that one corner of the lake is geothermally heated so that it never freezes over. It is encouraged to feed the birds with treats like oats and frozen peas, which they digest much better than bread.

The pond borders a beautiful inner city park, Hljómskálagarðurinn, which includes play equipment for children and several fascinating statues.

Please be at your pickup location in time for your departure. Should your pickup location be at a bus stop and you need assistance finding it, seek guidance in your Hotel's reception or contact your tour provider directly.

Included:

Minibus tour of Reykjavik with English guidance

Roundtrip transport to Blue Lagoon

Meals and refreshments

Blue Lagoon admission ticket

What to bring:

Appropriate clothing

Good to know:

Entrance tickets to the Blue Lagoon must be pre-booked.

Book your tour

Continue to reserve your trip in Iceland. You can contact us any time to make changes to your booking.

Pickup time

Free pickup

Adults
9,800
ISK/ person

Teenagers aged
12 - 17
4,900
ISK/ person

Children aged
0 - 11
Free

Children's Safety Car Seat 8-20 kg
Free
ISK

Children's Safety Car Seat under 8 kg
Free
ISK

Pickup
Free

From
9,800
ISK

Guide to Iceland does not add any fees, and as such, can not be liable for any accidents, losses, injuries, damages, delays, expenses due to any action or inaction on the part of the operator, guide or his/her services. As the terms and conditions of each tour operator may vary, please read the terms and conditions of each operator you purchase a tour from.

Iceland excursions terms and conditionsComplimentary pick up serviceWe offer complimentary pick up service for our passengers 30 to 60 min prior to tour departure at any hotel/guesthouse in Reykjavik (please see individual tour descriptions for more details). We reserve the right to alter or change the itinerary according to weather and road conditions.

Change of reservationIt is possible to change a reservation up to 2 hours prior to tour departure free of charge.

CancellationsCancellations of tours must go through our office and should be sent at least 24 hours prior tour departure to iceland@grayline.is or fax +354 540 1310. Confirmations of cancellations will be sent back within 24 hours during weekdays.

Tour departure / Complimentary pick up service / Drop off serviceAll day tours booked start from our office at Hafnarstræti 20, 101 Reykjavík (Lækjartorg) at the departure time given on your voucher. It is the passengers responsibility to arrive at our tour office in time to check in for their tour and to board the tour bus at the tour departure time written on their voucher. We offer a complimentary pick up service for all our day tours. Passengers wanting to take advantage of the complimentary pick up service are requested to wait outside their hotel 30 to 60 minutes prior to tour departure (please see individual tour descriptions for more information) in order to board the pick up bus.Missing the pick up bus does not entitle to a refund of the price paid for the tour.

Drop off after day tours may sometimes not be right in front of your hotel/guesthouse due to narrow streets and actual coach size used during the tour.

Passengers with special needsIf you have any special needs or requests you should notify the Iceland Excursions sales department as soon as possible. We always try to fulfill our customers wishes at all times.

WheelchairsIt is permitted to have foldable wheelchairs in our coaches without charge. Passengers that are unable to sit in a standard coach seat must advise the company´s office prior to tour departure.

Safety Our fleet at Iceland Excursions – Gray Line Iceland includes coaches of all types and sizes, which are all equipped with safety belts. We have a limited number of Children's Safety Car Seats available. These can be provided on request, free of charge. The safety and comfort of our customers is one of our main goals.

LiabilityIceland Excursions – Gray Line Iceland reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables should the necessity arise, including irregularities due to adverse weather or road conditions. No responsibility is taken for losses or expenses due to delay or changes of flights, injury, damaged, negligence, weather, war or other unforeseeable causes. Seats cannot be guaranteed unless booked at least two hours in advance. The estimated duration of tours as indicated on our website are standard times and can vary according to road or weather conditions. Punctuality is a key objective in Iceland Excursions – Gray Line Iceland operation. However, delays may occur for unforeseen reasons. The company cannot be made responsible for losses that a passenger may face due to delay, regardless whether the loss is direct or indirect.

Guide to Iceland cancellation policy:

Guide to Iceland charges a flat fee of 5000 ISK of each customer for online cancellations.